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there is always an excuss isn't there? How busy was it a month ago? I will go back and see what excuss was used then for the heck of it,,,
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Despite a few late-night sessions since Mr. Estrada's nomination hit the floor, Republicans have not forced their filibustering fellows to talk all night, allowing a gentleman's measure to serve in this less-than-genteel debate. Even a series of cloture votes won't have the same effect, since Senate business will still go on.

Republicans' reluctance seems to be based in the simple fact that filibusters are so inconvenient. Democrats would only need a few members to hold their place on the floor, while all 51 Republicans would have to be present, awaiting the first opportunity to force the vote. Unfortunately, during a lengthy filibuster, it's more likely that a few Republicans will take breaks than a few Democrats will break ranks.

Thus, the anticipated cloture vote represents not so much a failure of Republican Senate leadership as of followership. While some Republican leaders have expressed a desire to force a full-fledged filibuster, they really have rather small cudgels to hold their rank and file in place, much less penalize them if they break ranks. Besides, senators are notoriously independent, preferring to lead a glorious but doomed calvary charge than march along with their fellow foot soldiers in a crushing phalanx. The cloture vote is a tacit admission that Republicans have failed to coalesce into the disciplined fighting force needed to overcome obstructionism on judgeships.

washington times